Trapezoidal irrigation excavator and cleaner

ABSTRACT

An assembly for use in the digging or cleaning of irrigation laterals (spurs). The resulting lateral (spur) will be in a trapezoidal shape, allowing better lateral (spur) erosion control, better control of lateral (spur) edge collapse, and greater water flow when compared to the more standard rectangular shaped laterals (spurs).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tools for cutting or cleaning agricultural irrigation systems for orchards, fields, pastures, or the like, in particular to lateral trenches, spurs, and the like for water distribution from the primary canal system.

BACKGROUND

Prior technology has used a variety of implements to dig and/or clean irrigation ditches as evidenced by the list of patents granted over the past 100 years. The patents range from a simple road scraper (U.S. Pat. No. 1,450,815) providing a “U” shaped ditch to more complex machines providing similar shaped ditches (U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,631,639; 1,632,303; 1,721,392; 2,867,046; 3,309,802). Similar trenching systems provide a “V” shaped ditch (U.S. Pat. Nos. 606,987; 2,725,649; 4,819,348; 5,477,931). A rectangular system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,301,833, while there are a number of other system described as excavators (U.S. Pat. Nos. 799,753; 1,320,328), harrows (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,385,637; 2,621,459), irrigation mound forming machines (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,044,304; 2,455,566), soil working machines (U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,104), and ditch cleaning machines (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,109,336; 4,872,275; 5,003,712). In U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,444 a system providing both vertical ditching in conjunction with a sloping sidewall component is introduced to provide proper packing around an installed pipeline and provide workman safety from collapsing sidewalls. Most of the machines are self propelled, but may also include external power systems to push/pull the apparatus. Many also include a conveyer system to remove the dirt debris from the ditch as the machine moves in the direction of the new ditch.

Dedication of modern construction machines to singular processes can be cost prohibitive. As a result, a method of changing tool end effectors in an efficient manner was implemented (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,125,788; 5,360,313; 5,484,250, 7,246,457). Such changing mechanisms are generally referred to a quick-change systems or quick-coupler systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is the design and implementation of a trapezoidal cutter device which can be used to either dig a new lateral ditch, or can also be used to clean existing lateral ditches. The cutter includes a quick-change industry standard attachment method to accommodate attachment and use with a variety of power devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a trapezoidal lateral ditch digging/cleaning assembly constructed in accordance to the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a trapezoidal lateral ditch digging/cleaning assembly constructed in accordance to the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a trapezoidal lateral ditch digging/cleaning assembly constructed in accordance to the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the quick-change standard connector providing attachment of the trapezoidal lateral ditch digging/cleaning assembly constructed in accordance to the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a frontal perspective view of the trapezoidal lateral ditch digging/cleaning assembly attached to an external mechanism, where the assembly is constructed in accordance to the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of the open-faced trapezoidal shaped assembly 1. The quick-change standard attachment point 2 is shown at the top of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the trapezoidal shaped back and side 3 views respectively of the trapezoidal shaped assembly. The bottom and top plates are rectangular in shape (not illustrated), and are appropriately sized to meet the desired dimensions of the trapezoidal lateral being dug/cleaned. The leading edges of the opposing sides and the bottom plate are typically rounded in the preferred embodiment, but may be sharpened or remain flat. The open-face unit is typically made of carbon steel, but may be assembled with other materials as dictated by the application of the unit. The quick-change standard attachment 2 is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 4. The latching mechanism 4 is fastened to the upper plate of the trapezoidal shaped assembly, where the mating assembly 7 is placed into the mating slot 5 and pinned into position with the dowel 6. The invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 attached in a preferred embodiment. The trapezoidal shape of the resulting irrigation ditch provides a high volume water flow, reduced ditch erosion, and minimal ditch side collapse, all typical problems found in rectangular shaped irrigation ditches. 

1. A trapezoidal shaped assembly for use in digging or cleaning irrigation laterals (spurs); the assembly comprising: a five sided steel device; and with cutting edges on the leading edges of the lower surface and opposing sides.
 2. The trapezoidal shaped assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly further includes a quick-change system for attachment to powered equipment. 3-4. (canceled) 